The designation, created by the Florida legislature in 2021, is more than a badge: It’s a recognition of the school’s dedication to the unique needs of military families.
Families relocating to Key West for military duty find a supportive ally in The Basilica School, which offers them priority enrollment, transition assistance, and a student-led program connecting new military students with their peers.
Principal Robert Wright recounts the school’s journey to this recognition with a straightforward charm. “A charter school in town had the designation. When I looked into it and saw the criteria necessary for this designation, I said, ‘We’re already doing all of this.’”
In a town boasting four military installations, where families come and go every three years, Wright acknowledges the bittersweet reality. “The majority of these families leave after three years; it’s always sad. We’re not only losing the students but spouses who are also teachers.”
The school steps up to the plate, addressing the challenges faced by these transient students.
“We find ways to accommodate the needs of military families. We help with the student’s behavior needs. We provide speech and language therapy if it is needed. We also provide accommodations and modifications for students who need them,” Wright said.
With a current military student population of 6%, roughly 30 families entrust their children to the school’s care, seeking stability in the face of the unique challenges posed by military life.
For military parents, moving with school-aged children brings its own set of hurdles. Wright reassures them: “For parents, we have a support system for them in place. We provide them with peace of mind.”
Adding a touch of lightness to their efforts, the school organizes “Story Time with our Veterans,” where uniformed military personnel engage with students in the simple joy of reading. It’s a small but impactful initiative that bridges the gap between generations.
Principal Wright’s admiration for military families is evident. “Military families are great families. We want them to be part of our school, to be part of our community. They enrich our communities.”
He also underscored the school’s commitment to diversity, noting that while half of the student body may not be practicing Catholics, the school is firmly rooted in Gospel values and Catholic identity.
“We offer something other schools cannot provide: Gospel and virtue,” he said. “We educate the entire person. We are supported by our community. We provide faith, stability, and purpose for them and their children.”
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To earn the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction Designation, schools must maintain:
• School Military Point of Contact (MPOC)
• School webpage for military students and families
• Student-led transition program
• Staff professional development
• 5% open enrollment seats for military students
• 3 additional activities to support military families
The Purple Star School of Distinction remains in effect for three years, after which schools must reapply to maintain their Purple Star status.
Jack Rolletta, a student of the Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea, poses with his father, Lt. Commander Mike Rolletta, during one of the military-themed activities offered by the Basilica School that earned it Florida’s Purple Heart designation for its efforts to accommodate military families.